• Primary courses taught:
• PHY105 Astronomy
• PHY101 Principles of Physics

• Bachelor of science degree, physics, Hartwick College, Oneonta NY
• Master of science degree, astrophysics, Arizona State University

• Department chair of chemistry and physics, 2012 – present
• Physics faculty, Stark State College, 2007 – present
• Physics adjunct instructor, University of Mount Union, 2003 – 2010
• Graduate research assistant and graduate teaching assistant, physics and astronomy department, Arizona State University

• American Association of Physics Teachers, national member
• Northeast Ohio AAPT, regional member

• “A systematic UBVRIJHK survey of nearby galaxies to classify faint galaxies from deep HST surveys
  AIP conference proceedings,” 2008, Claudia A. T. C. Chiarenza (Arizona State University), Rogier A. Windhorst (Arizona State University), Stephen C. Odewahn, Roelof Sybe de Jong (Durham University), Jay A. Frogel (Ohio State University)
• “The HST/WFPC2 B-band galaxy counts vs. type for 19≲B≲29 mag” conference proceedings 2008, Rogier A. Windhorst (Arizona State University), Stephen C. Odewahn (Arizona State University), Seth H. Cohen (Arizona State University), Claudia A. T. C. Chiarenza (Arizona State University), R. S. de Jong (Durham University), Simon P. Driver University Of New South Wales R. Marzke Ann Tyson Bell Labs I. Dell’ Antonio Bell Labs
• “Ultraviolet-Optical Pixel Maps of Face-on Spiral Galaxies: Clues for Dynamics and Star Formation Histories,” 2003, The Astrophysical Journal, volume 586, issue 2, pp 923-938 2003 April 1 Paul B. Eskridge (Minnesota State University, Mankato), Jay A. Frogel (Ohio State University), Violet A. Taylor (Arizona State University), Rogier A. Windhorst (Arizona State University), Stephen C. Odewahn (Arizona State University), Claudia Chiarenza Arizona State University Christopher J. Conselice California Institute Of Technology Richard de Grijs University Of Cambridge L. D. Matthews Harvard Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics Robert W. O’Connell, University Of Virginia John S. Gallagher University Of Wisconsin Madison
• “A Hubble Space Telescope Survey of the Mid-Ultraviolet Morphology of Nearby Galaxies,” 2002, Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, volume 143, issue 1, pp 113-158, Rogier A. Windhorst (Arizona State University), Violet A. Taylor (Arizona State University), Rolf Jansen (Arizona State University), Stephen C. Odewahn (Arizona State University), Claudia Chiarenza (Arizona State University), Christopher J. Conselice California Institute Of Technology Richard de Grijs University Of Cambridge Roelof S. de Jong Space Telescope Science Institute John W. MacKenty Space Telescope Science Institute Paul B. Eskridge Jay A. Frogel John S. Gallagher University Of Wisconsin Madison John E. Hibbard L. D. Matthews Robert W. O’Connell University Of Virginia
• “The Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 B-Band Parallel Survey: A Study of Galaxy Morphology for Magnitudes 18 ≤ B ≤ 27,” 2003, The Astronomical Journal, volume 125, issue 4, pp 1762-1783 Seth H. Cohen (Arizona State University), Rogier A. Windhorst (Arizona State University), Stephen C. Odewahn (Arizona State University), Claudia Chiarenza (Arizona State University), Simon P. Driver (Australian National University)

Claudia Barr has served as chair of physics since January of 2012 and chair of chemistry and physics since April 2017. She is an astrophysicist who loves to share her passion of astronomy with people of all ages. Her passion has helped grow STEM Night into a successful event for junior high students, and future plans include a STEM summer camp.

She is an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America. Both her daughter and son have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. She would happily work with any age Scout, or any youth for that matter, to fuel passion and interest in astronomy.

Her research interests include physics education along with an exploration of nearby galaxies in wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the infrared to better understand more distant galaxies (using ground-based telescopes and space-based telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope).

• CHM101 Introduction to Chemistry

• Bachelor of science degree, forensic science with concentration in chemistry, Eastern Kentucky University
• Master of science degree, analytical chemistry, Dublin City University
• Master of science degree, analytical chemistry, Ohio University

• Lab demonstrator and graduate researcher, Dublin City University
  • Courses: Instrumental Chemistry
• Lab teaching assistant and graduate researcher, Ohio University
  • Courses: Quantitative Chemistry, Instrumental Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry 1, Forensic Chemistry 2, Master’s Level Analytical Chemistry

• American Chemical Society (ACS)

Bracker, R., Cronin, L., Grubliauskas, A., Free, L., O’Grady, J., Power, S., Daly, K., Kent, N., Regan, F., and White, B.: Rapid Phosphate Monitoring in Irish Freshwater Systems Using a Novel Microfluidic Colorimetric System, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-16201, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-16201, 2023.

Rachel Bracker, Kimberly Dominguez, and Anthony S. Stender. Analytical Methods for Monitoring the Degradation of Plasmonic Nanoparticles in Solution: An Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Exercise. Journal of Chemical Education 2020 97 (4), 1151-1156. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00861

Rachel Bracker, Anthony S. Stender. Efficacy of USB microscopes for imaging forensic materials. Forensic Science International, Volume 304, 2019, 109961, ISSN 0379-0738, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109961.

During her studies in chemistry, Rachel Bracker’s research has focused on using a combination of microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy along with nanoparticles to detect the presence of alkaline and alkali earth metals in water. Her other research project focused on developing a portable microfluidic lab-on-a-disc (LOAD) system for the rapid, on-site detection of phosphate in fresh water. The aim of this project was to monitor, and eventually prevent, an overgrowth of algae in freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers.

Travel is one of her passions. In addition to living  in Dublin, Ireland, for two years during her graduate studies, she has also traveled to Austria, Germany, Turkey, England, New Zealand, Thailand and Canada, as well as several states around the U.S. Other interests include music, storytelling and writing, hiking and history.

• CHM141 General Chemistry I,
• CHM142 General Chemistry II
• CHM141 and CHM142 honors sections

• Doctoral degree, chemical physics interdisciplinary program, The Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University
• Master’s degree, chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
• Bachelor’s degree, chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

• Professor, Chemistry and Physics Department, Stark State College, 2011 – present
• Postdoctoral fellow, Kent State University, Liquid Crystal Institute, 2008-2010
• Research assistant, Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 2001-2007
• Teaching assistant, Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 1996-2001

• The International Liquid Crystal Society member, 2004-present
• The Society for Information Display, SID member, 2004-2008
• The Material Research Society member,n2004-2008
• The International Society for Optical Engineering, SPIE member,  2004-2012
• Optical Society of America member, 2005-2008

• “Direct piezoelectric responses of soft composite fiber mats,” M. Varga J. Morvan, N. Diorio, E. Buyuktanir, J. Harden, J. L. West, and A. Jakli. Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 153903 (2013)
• “Highly piezoelectric biocompatible and soft composite fibers”, Appl J. Morvan, E. Buyuktanir, J. L. West, and A. Jákli,. Phys. Lett. 100, 063901 (2012)
• “Self-Assembled, Optically Responsive Nematic Liquid Crystal/Polymer Core-Shell Fibers: Formation and Characterization,” Ebru A. Buyuktanir, John L. West, and Margaret W. Frey, Polymer 51(21), 4823-4830 (2010)
• “The Field-Induced Polymer Wall Formation in a Bistable Smectic-A Liquid Crystal Display,” E. A. Büyüktanır, N. Gheorghiu, M. Mitrokhin, B. Holter, A. Glushchenko, and J. L. West, Appl. Phys. Lett. 89(3), 031101 (2006).
• “Flexible Bistable Smectic-A Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Display” E. A. Buyuktanir, M. Mitrokhin, B. Holter, A. Glushchenko, and J. L. West, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 45(5), 4146-4151 (2006).

Patents

• “Super-piezoelectric composite fiber mats for power generation and soft actuators,” Patent Number: 9,416,487, 8/16/2016. Inventors: A. Jákli, E. Buyuktanir, J. Morvan, J.L. West, and J.E. Harden, Jr.
• “Stimuli responsive liquid crystal-polymer composite fibers,” Patent number:US8257639 B2, 9/4/2012. Inventors: Ebru A. Buyuktanir, Margaret W. Frey, and John L. West.

• Principles of Physics (PHY101)
• College Physics 1 & 2 with Algebra (PHY121, 122)

• Bachelor of science degree, physics, University of Illinois
• Master of science degree, physics, University of Arizona
• Master of science degree, optics, University of Arizona

• Math\physics department, Stark State College, 1993 to present
• Adjunct physics instructor, Walsh University, 2013 (2013), Adjunct Physics Instructor
• Adjunct physics instructor, Malone University, 2009
• Graduate teaching assistant and graduate research assistant, Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona,1985-1992
• Graduate teaching assistant, Physics Department, University of Arizona, 1983-1985

• American Association of Physics Teachers regional and national member

• “Role of the conduction band in electroabsorption, two-photon absorption, and third-harmonic generation in polydiacetylenes,” 1993, Physical Review B, volume 48, issue 3, pp 1433-1459, Dandan Guo, S. Mazumdar (University of Arizona), S. N. Dixit (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), F. Kajzar, F. Jarka, Y. Kawabe, N. Peyghambarian
• “Electro-absorption in a polydiacetylene,” 1992, Synthetic Metals, volume 50, pp 517-523 Yutaka Kawabe, F. Jarka, N. Peyghambarian (University of Arizona), Dandan Guo, S. Mazumdar (University of Arizona), S. N. Dixit, F. Kajzar
• “Photorefractive, Electro-Optical and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Conjugated Polymers,” 1992, MRS Proceedings, volume 277, N. Peyghambarian, K. Tamura, B. Kippelen, Yutaka Kawabe, F. Jarka, S. Mazumdar, D. D. Guo, H. K. Hall, Anne Buyle Padias
• “Roles of band states and two-photon transitions in the electroabsorption of a polydiacetylene,” 1991, Physical Review B, volume 44, issue 12, pp 6530-6533, Yutaka Kawabe, F. Jarka, N. Peygambarian (University of Arizona), Dandan Guo, S. Mazumdar (University of Arizona), S. N. Dixit, F. Kajzar
• “Measurements of Ultrafast Optical Nonlinearities in Semiconductors,” 1988, Physica Status Solidi B-basic Solid State Physics, volume 150, issue 2, pp 357-363, B. Fluegel (University of Arizona), J. P. Sokoloff (University of Arizona), F. Jarka (University of Arizona), S. W. Koch (University of Arizona), M. Lindberg (University of Arizona), N. Peyghambarian (University Of Arizona), Manuel Joffre (Ecole Polytechnique), D. Hulin (Ecole Polytechnique), Arnold Migus (Ecole Polytechnique), A. Antonetti (Ecole Polytechnique), Claudia Ell, L. Banyai, H. Haug

I was born in Munich, Germany and while my youth was spent in Massachusetts, Colorado, Wyoming and Illinois, I consider rural Illinois my childhood home. I graduated from high school and undergraduate college there, and spent 10 years in Tucson, Arizona where I met my wife and began teaching. My other employment has included farm, construction and restaurant work.

I regularly volunteer at The Chapel, North Canton, usually working with preschoolers. Travel is my favorite hobby – I’ve visited 48 states, along with Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine and Finland. I also enjoy astronomy, skiing, camping, geology, archaeology, gardening, sailing, bicycling, motorcycling, maple syrup making, hiking and most anything outdoors.

• General Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Biochemistry

• Bachelor’s degree, chemistry, Miami University
• Bachelor’s degree, zoology, Miami University
• Doctoral degree, polymer science, The University of Akron

• Associate professor of chemistry, Stark State College, 2006-present
• Department coordinator, Stark State College, 2011-present
• Senior chemist, Abbott Laboratories (now Hospira), 2005-2006
• Materials specialist, Abbott Laboratories, 2003-2005
• National Research Council associate, NASA Glenn Research Center, 2002-2003

• American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education, member, 1998-present
• Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium, member, 2006-present
• American Chemical Society, Resources for Excellence workshops coordinator, 2012-2020
• Committee on Chemistry in Two-Year College, Executive Committee workshops liaison, 2012-2020
• Two-Year College Advisory Board, consultant to the ACS, 2012-2014
• Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium, Midwestern Regional Advisory Board chair, 2006-2012

• General Chemistry I Laboratory Manual, Buyuktanir E., Sanders, A.J., et al. 3^rd ed., Van Griner, 2017
• “Strategies for Overcoming Significant Challenges Faced by the Two-Year College Students,” Sanders, A.J., et al. 253^rd American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, San Francisco, CA, April 5, 2017
• “Resources for Excellence: Applying ACS Resources to Increase Student Success at Your Institution,” Sanders, A.J. and Aquino, D. 202^nd Conference of the Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium, University Center, MI, September 27, 2013
• “Collaborations in Computational Science,” Sanders, A.J. 20^th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE), Bloomington, IN, July 30, 2008
• Patent: Polymeric Compositions and a Method of Making the Same Bieniarz, C; Sanders, A.J., Patent US 6,503,528 B1. January 7, 2003

Associate Professor Sanders completed her PhD under Frank W. Harris, a distinguished professor of polymer science. Her dissertation, a collaboration between The University of Akron and Abbott Laboratories, focused on the synthesis of biopolymers with controlled-release activity. After receiving the NRC Associateship Award and completing her post-doc at NASA Glenn Research Center, Abbott employed her as materials specialist. She was promoted to senior chemist, managing the analytical laboratory for Abbott’s Ashland R&D group until 2006 when she joined Stark State College.

She began her academic career as senior investigator with a $670,000 NSF-ATE grant, “Computational Science Program for Ohio Community and Technical Colleges,” which resulted in the first Stark State associate of science degree. She has contributed to the development of an AS degree in chemistry and serves as advisor to the Stark State Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) where she and her students contribute to the Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium and ACS Division of Chemical Education.